December 26, 2012

Scales

Week two of maintenance was a success!
I was 133 on the nose again this week. I can't believe what a smooth transition it's been from weight loss to maintenance! All I did was add 6 PointsPlus per day. My weight has been pretty stable each day--at the lowest, it was 132, and the highest was 133.5. I ate every single available PP this week, so I think that's the right amount for me to maintain. (32 daily PP x 7 days=224 + 49 weekly PP=273 + 31 activity PP= 304 PP for the week, or an average of  43/day)

I was recently asked if I'd like to review a digital bathroom scale by Conair. Before I get into that, let me explain a little about my scale (the one in the picture above). I got this scale years ago, when I was in college (probably 2002), and I remember paying quite a bit for it ($80). I love this scale, and I probably won't ever find another that I love quite as much.

My scale is extremely consistent--you can weigh yourself 10 times in a row, and it gives you the exact same number every time. It's also very accurate--I put dumbbells on it every once in a while to check that it's reading the correct weight:
A 10-lb dumbbell and a 5-lb dumbbell, so it's right on the money with 15.0 pounds.

I've never had to replace a battery in this scale, and I'm not sure how that's possible. The scale is super easy to turn on by pressing the bottom right corner; and it shuts off automatically. The only thing that I could possibly find to complain about is that it only measures in 0.5-lb increments. Over the years, I've bought a few different scales to try and find a good one that measures in 0.2 or 0.1 increments, but I've returned those scales because I just can't part with this one! I've not found another scale that is both accurate AND consistent... every single time.

So now that I've established my high standards, I will move on to the scale that I was given to review--the Weight Watchers by Conair Digital Scale. I wasn't expecting it to be perfect (like my scale), but I wanted to see how it compared. Out of the box, I really liked how it looks--it's very sleek and thin. There is only one button (lb/kg, on the underside of the scale), which was a good thing for me--I don't like scales that have all kinds of buttons and gadgets to mess with.
If it looks kind of plain, that's because it is--the scale also comes with vinyl sayings that you can stick on your scale to decorate it:
There is also a sheet of white ones, but you can't read them on a photo very well. Anyway, I decorated the scale to my liking:
My favorite sticker was the "determination!" one, because I'm always talking about how determination is MUCH more important than motivation. The stickers are just vinyl, so you can peel them off and swap them out very easily. I thought that was a fun little touch.

First, I gave the scale the old dumbbell challenge:
Now my 15-lb dumbbells weighed 15.6 pounds--so I give it a 'B' for accuracy. I've seen scales that are off by as much as 5-lbs, so 0.6 isn't too bad, but it's not perfect either.

Then, I did my consistency test--I weighed myself six times in a row, to see how many different numbers I got.
#1: 133.3
#2: 133.3
#3: 133.3
#4: 133.3
#5: 133.3
#6: 133.3

So I give this scale an 'A' for consistency.

Lastly, the ease of use. This is where I give the scale a 'C' grade. The directions say to tap the scale firmly in the center until it reads 0.0. I had a hard time figuring out just the right way to tap it to get it to turn on. You have to do it quickly and sharply in the center, harder than you would think. But I've mastered it now.

The scale has a maximum capacity of 400-lbs, which I think is great; most bathroom scales I've seen go up to 300- or 350-lbs. The price isn't bad, either--the average cost is $29.99. Overall, would I buy this scale? Yes. If my beloved HealthOMeter scale ever dies, I would happily use this as a replacement.

I was told I could offer a giveaway for one of these scales, but instead of doing the giveaway on this post, I'm going to give it away as one of the prizes for the Virtual 5K next month! By the way, there are almost 350 people signed up as of right now--that's amazing!

(In full disclosure, I was given a scale for free to review, but as always, all opinions are my own and honest)


This morning, I took my kids to a winter camp at a local sports complex. It's three days long, and eight hours each day. They went last year, and loved it, so I told them they could do it again if they wanted. After I dropped them off, I went to return a few things--Meijer, Wal-Mart, and Kohl's. I was expecting total craziness, but there wasn't a line for customer service at all.

At Kohl's, I tried on some sundresses for Key West :)  Jerry's mom gave me a gift card for Christmas, so I thought it would be fun to use for some clothes for Florida. I tried on one dress that I thought was super cute, but it showed too much thigh for my liking. And it wasn't on sale. I like sale things.
I did end up buying that white dress you see in the background. I didn't take a pic of it, but it was super cute and only $6.40! I also bought this dress...
...for $3.20!! But I promise to wear it with a strapless bra when I'm actually in public, because I'm classy like that.

I also bought some white pants that I plan to hem into long shorts (the only shorts I wear must come down to my knee, at least); a pair of long black shorts; and a long-sleeved running shirt (not for Florida, but for here). It's fun to buy clothes while I'm maintaining my weight, because I don't have to wonder, "Will this fit me in a month?"

53 comments:

  1. I know how it's hard to buy clothes when losing weight. I'm in the middle of my process- down 35 pounds so I'm finally moving down a size in clothing and I'm LOVING shopping again. I still have 70 pounds to go so I'm still quite big, but to see just the difference already is such a great feeling. But I feel nervous because I know my clothes are going to be too big in a month or two and I can't afford whole wardrobes at each size. But I know I don't want to wear baggy clothes that makes me feel frumpy and messy. I guess it's not the worst problem to have though. I have my thin clothes stashed away so I can go into those soon.

    Why do you wear such long shorts? Is it a modesty thing or because you think you don't look good? Because that's not true! You've worked so hard and you're so thin now. You should really enjoy it. I anticipate being really jiggly when I hit my goal (and I doubt i'll ever be able to afford skin removal surgery), but I can't wait to wear mini skirts and all sorts of things again.

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    1. My thighs are not a pretty sight, unfortunately! I have a lot of loose skin and faded stretch marks on my thighs, and it's actually really uncomfortable (physically) to walk without them being covered (not for modesty). Even wearing a dress is uncomfortable. I wish I could wear cute little shorts!

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    2. I hope I don't have the same problem! I'm looking forward to being able to wear shorts and skirts/dresses without worrying about chafing! I would be really mad if I still couldn't wear what I wanted in the end.

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  2. Chelsea has the white dress in blue! i tried it on as well, but didn't get it. It came in a burnt orange/rust color that was pretty. I LOVE Kohl's clearance racks!!

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    1. I bet the orange color was amazing! I only saw the white.

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  3. Cute dresses!

    It's possible that your dumbbells are a little heavier than 15lbs. A dumbbell manufacturer (Ironmaster) says their weights will be within 3-4% of the nominal value. Either way I think .6 off is not too bad!

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    1. Eh, using the dumbbells is the easiest way for me to judge the accuracy. I don't know of any other way to do so!

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  4. I wore the pink and black dress to my company holiday party this year. It looks great on you!

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    1. Thanks! It's a super cute dress--just wish it was a little longer :)

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  5. That blue dress is just perfect for wearing in Key West and it is super cute on you!! Wear it proudly!

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    1. I wasn't too sure of it on the hanger, but once I put it on, I loved it! Can't wait to wear it :)

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  6. I'm so thrilled for you, I've visited family in Florida and we just drove the Keys for the first time! Here's what I know, the average temp is 77degrees year-round, the water is aqua and was very calm, Key West is 2 miles by 4 miles in size. When you have time take a tour of Key West by bicycle and definitely take the trolley tour, the bars have a very laid-back vibe for fun with the hubbie. The nights are were warm and balmy. The vibe is soooo chill. Reading your blog and your racing the keys is going to be such a cool journey... you are in for an incredibly cool time. The road that connects the Keys has some of the most beautiful scenery I've seen along a coast.

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    1. That sounds AMAZING. I'm SOOO excited to go!

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  7. Love, love, love the blue dress! It's perfect for Key West and you look great in it!

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  8. Love the dresses, very cute and perfect for FL!

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    1. Thanks, I hope the weather is good so I can wear them! :)

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  9. I love the dresses although I really liked the first one too :). They all looked really cute on you and it's awesome you got such a great deal on them!

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    1. I liked the first one too, but I just wish it were a little longer. And not $55 ;)

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  10. I have the same 5-pound dumbbells and mine still have the tag on them too ;) But I do use them (just with the tag on)!

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    1. For the record, they've been used plenty of times! ;) Hahaha, but I never bothered to take the tag off.

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  11. I love the blue dress!! Hope you have a wonderful time in Key West! It's a fun place!

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    1. Thank you! I'm sure I will--I'm so excited!

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  12. That's so interesting about the scales, I own WW ones that I bought years ago but am not sure how accurate they out. I'll have to do the dumbbell test!

    Love the blue strapless dress, very pretty :)

    & OMG 350 people for the virtual 5k?! That's incredible!

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    1. Yes, I'm excited that so many people are signed up!

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  13. Love the scale test with weights - I never thought of doing that!! I have 2 digital scales. My old one is very consistent so I stick with that. My new one Biggest Loser one is always reading something different - so frustrating.
    The blue dress looks amazing on you. Man, you are inspiration for hitting the 130's. <3

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    1. Thank you! The last 5 pounds or so have definitely been the most noticeable in how I look and how my clothes fit. It's been fun trying on all my clothes, and now buying a few new things :)

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  14. Adorable dresses! I'm curious why you wear such long shorts? I have lost about 60lbs since I had my daughter and never wore shorts at all. Last summer I finally started wearing long ones because of my awful varicose veins...then somebody told me I could have them removed and insurance would most likely pay for it. Thats exactly what I did in October and insurance paid for all of it except a co-pay! I love it! Can't wait to rock the shorts next summer! :)

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    1. Thankfully, I've never had a problem with varicose veins. That's AWESOME that you were able to get them taken care of, and that your insurance covered it! My problem is the loose skin. My inner thighs are very saggy, and it's really uncomfortable to walk without clothing covering them. They also are not very pretty--lots of old stretch marks!

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  15. Congratulations on your maintaining your weight! My husband got me a treadmill for Christmas so I'm excited to start exercising again!

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    1. Thanks! And what a great gift--make sure you get lots of use out of it ;)

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  16. I always say a silent prayer when I put away my clothes from one season to the next, that I'll still be able to wear them next year! LOVED the blue dress, and that white one looks super cute. I am all over anything white and lacy. Unfortunately, I've got to get LONG sleeves to cover up the batwings and that eliminates so many fashion choices. You are looking so good Katie. Thanks for the review on the scale. Does it measure anything else--like BMI or body fat? Mine doesn't do any of that, but I was just wondering.

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    1. Pam, I think I'll always wonder if my seasonal clothes will fit again the next year--but I'm trying to stay positive, and get rid of anything that's too big, because I WILL maintain my weight!

      The scale just weighs you--no bells and whistles. I like the simplicity!

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  17. You are a total GENIUS! Recently my scale that I've had for more than ten years that I LOVE died and I had to search for a new one, and it was horrible...nothing seemed accurate. I never even thought to weigh dumbbells on them to see how accurate they were...I'm off to try it now with my new scale!!! (It's the little things that make me happy.) :)

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    1. Little things make me happy, too ;) I hope your scale passed the test??

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  18. LOVE the blue dress! Also, I never thought to put dim bells on my scale! Genius!!

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  19. Very cute dresses! And great job on the maintenance!

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    1. Thank you! I will continue to be excited each week that I've maintained and not gained :)

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  20. The scale is consistent because it "remembers" your weight and as long as the next time you step on it you are within .5 pounds (or whatever they picked) of the last weigh in, it will just show your last weigh in. So it gives the false impression of consistency. My scale does the same thing (just about all do).

    I've learned to stand on me with one foot still on the ground and stay steady enough that it gives me another reading way different than my real weight. I then stand on it again. It only varies by .2 either way, so not bad, I trust the reading.

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    1. Maybe that's true for the newer scales like this one. But I've tried many scales throughout the years that gave numerous different readings each time, and this WW one is the first (other than my trusty old scale) to give a consistent reading over and over.

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  21. Yay, good for you on the maintenance! It gives me hope that I can do it one day! And I love the blue dress...especially for that price! Sales rock!

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    1. If I can do it, then anyone can, I'm sure of it. I've had a hell of a time with maintenance over the past couple of years. I'll be THRILLED if I can actually make it happen this time :)

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  22. Great job on the maintenance! I am seeing how aware and controlled you are EACH day to keep your weight the same, that's amazing... I love the blue dress, if I was ever that size, it would totally be my style :) I like the white one too, I love wearing white... Thanks again for sharing your progress and everyday life with us :)

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    1. I'm doing the exact same things in maintenance that I was while losing--just allowing myself 6 extra PointsPlus a day. I wish I could maintain without counting, but I've tried that and failed a few times! I'm liking Weight Watchers though, so I don't mind it so much this time around.

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  23. I will be in Florida too!! I'm super excited to run at sea level (I live in Utah) and hoping that the storms they predict on Saturday decide to wait until Sunday. Good luck to you! What is your team name? I looked through your blog and saw the teammates and didn't see the name!

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    1. That's awesome! You're doing the Ragnar? Our team name is From Fat to Finish Line (same name as the documentary). Make sure you come say hi if you see us! What's your team name?

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  24. Thank you for the dumb bell idea...i am not sure why I never thought of that! I would use unopened bags of sugar LOL.

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  25. What model is your health o meter scale. I have had several scales over the years and none seem to be as consistent as yours. I like the fact that you can step on and off and it still says the same weight.

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    1. Sadly, they don't make it anymore :( I've searched and searched, to get a back-up, but it's very out of date.

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